LOS ANGELES - Chad McKenzie set a pool and meet record in the 100 meter individual medley at the USC Invitational Saturday, one of many highlight performances during the season opening meet for the CSUB men's swim team.
The junior transfer from Limestone College touched the wall in 59.06, outreaching second place finisher James Martin of USC who finished in 59.46.
Other strong marks for the Roadrunners during the morning short course meter events included a third place 1:54.80 mark by sophomore Keenan Natyzak in the 200 meter freestyle. Junior Luka Leskur was second in the 100 meter backstroke, finishing in 57.87, while McKenzie also earned a 1:04.62, second place finish in the 100 meter breaststroke.
Competing head-to-head against USC and Cal State Northridge, the 'Runners took a 111-55 win over the Matadors and a 95-70 loss to the nationally ranked Trojans.
The afternoon session included the same three schools competing in a slate of short course yard events. Bakersfield topped Northridge 120-47 and fell 91-72 to USC.
Natyzak placed third in the 200 yard free in a time of 1:42.12. Teammate Vance Elmore recorded a personal best, touching in 1:45.96. McKenzie and Matt Parsonage went two-three in the 100 breast, turning in times of 57.68 and 57.85, respectively.
CSUB also went two-three in the 50 yard free with Parsonage placing second in 21.53 and Kevin Miller placing third in 21.57, a personal best mark for the freshman.
Fellow freshman Jake Priest rounded out the top performances for the 'Runners with a 4:06.92 finish in the 400 yard individual medley.
"We were really happy with today's performance," said CSUB Head Coach Chris Hansen. "Keenan's 200 meter free time was big time for him, as was Jake's 400 IM this early in the year. Our new people really stepped up to the place and took control of this meet."
The squad takes a break from official competition next week to host an Alumni meet Oct. 17 at the Hillman Aquatics Center. They then return to action Oct. 31 in a dual meet at University of Pacific.
